Tag: SSA full retirement age

Q: Is age 65 still important for Social Security retirement? A: While age 65 is important as the starting age for Medicare, it has no special meaning for Social Security retirement anymore. Until the Social Security Amendments of 1983, retirement benefits were not reduced for age if you waited until age 65 before starting them.… Read More

Q: I reach age 66 in August. A Social Security representative contacted me about my online retirement application. She said my wife could collect half of my amount when she reaches age 66 later this year and that she could later collect her own retirement at age 70. Is this correct? A: As a general… Read More

Q: Is there a limit to the amount of Social Security benefits payable to a couple? A: This question is received so often that I routinely discuss it when teaching retirement seminars. There is no marriage penalty, limit or other reduction when each member of a couple receives Social Security retirement based on their individual work records. … Read More

Q: At nearly age 64, I just stopped work because of a severe accident. Is it better to apply for Social Security disability or retirement? A: You can apply for either one or both at the same time. You chose what to do. Social Security disability depends on more than your immediate medical condition. Based… Read More

Q: I retired in 2015 but will have employment related income in 2016 from work completed before I retired. Will this lower my 2016 Social Security benefits? A: This question is about the annual earnings test. For people younger than full retirement age (FRA), the Social Security annual earnings test, also called the retirement test, concerns how… Read More